6. Vitamins Flashcards
What are the general characteristics of vitamins?
- Organic compounds w/ regulatory functions
- Cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities by the body –> must be obtained from the diet
How many vitamins are universally recognized?
13
What is the classification of vitamins based on? What is it not based on?
By their biological and chemical activity, not their structure
What is a vitamer?
A form of a particular vitamin
What are the main classifications of vitamins?
- Water-soluble
- Fat-soluble
How many water-soluble vitamins are there?
9
How many fat-soluble vitamins are there?
4
How are water-soluble vs. fat-soluble vitamins handled in the body?
- Water soluble vitamins are not stored
- Fat soluble vitamins can be stores, but not all are stored
What is the one water soluble vitamin that can be stored? Where is it stored?
Vitamin B12 can be stored in the liver for long periods of time
What is the toxicity of water soluble vs. fat soluble vitamins at excessive doses?
- Water soluble = mostly non-toxic at excessive doses
- Fat soluble = most are toxic at excessive doses
List the fat-soluble vitamins?
A, D, E, K
What type of vitamins do not undergo digestion? Why not?
Water-soluble vitamins are small enough to be absorbed
What mechanisms does the digestive tract use to move water-soluble nutrients from your gut to your bloodstream?
- Sodium-dependent active transport
- Diffusion
In what forms are water-soluble vitamins transferred throughout the bloodstream?
- Free-form (not bound to anything)
- Bound to specific protein carriers
- Bound to albumin
What organ continuously regulates levels of water-soluble vitamins? What does it do w/ the excess?
Kidneys excretes excesses out of body in your urine
How often should water-soluble vitamins be replenished?
Every few days
In what form is vitamin C primarily found as?
Ascorbic acid
What are the common sources of vitamin C?
Fruits and veggies
What is the RDA of vitamin C for men vs. women?
- Men = 90 mg/day
- Women = 75 mg/day
What are the functions of vitamin C?
- Collagen synthesis
- Antioxidant activity
- Neurotransmitter synthesis
- Enhances immune function when you have a cold
- Protects against certain types of cancers
- Helps prevent CV disease by maintaining integrity of vasculature
What condition does vitamin C deficiency lead to? Symptoms?
SCURVY = issues w/ healing, bleeding, bruising, hair health, brain health
- hyperkeratosis of hair follicles
- hypochhondriasis (psychological manifestations)
- retarded wound healing
- bleeding gyms
- spontaneous rupture of capillaries
What are the consequences of vitamin C toxicity?
Minor side effects from supplements = GI tract issues
-diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, bloating, headache, insomnia, kidney stones
How does one get too much vitamin C? (toxicity)
From supplements, not usually from diet
What are the common sources of thiamin?
- Meats (pork)
- Legumes
- Enriched grains
- Fortified foods